Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

PHOTO: G. MOORTHY

GREEN BELT That lends serenity

On a hot and sweltering day, if you turn in from the Dindigul Road into New Vilangudi area, the cool breeze brushing past you will surely remain etched for long. And add to it the very flowery names of every street — Roja, Malligai and Thulasi.

RM. Vairavan, one of the early residents of the area, says that the residents had a chance to name the streets after flowers such as Roja, Manoranjitham, Thamarai, Kumudham, or with words that are related to the plants. And the list goes on. In fact, there are 50 streets all named after some flower and that is what makes the area’s identity unique.

Most plots in this area are occupied by middle and upper middle class families. The presence of houses indicates that the area is densely populated. Yet it is able to retain its green belt and its cool fall-out.

New Vilangudi comprises five nagars – Thendral, Ganapathi, Subash, Meyappan, Venkatachalapathy and Sakthi. While the Subash, Meyappan and Venkatachalapathy were named after the promoters, the Ganapathi Nagar was named after the presiding deity of Maha Ganapathi Temple, a well-known one in the area. The bank employees dominate Ganapathy Nagar while police personnel outnumber others in Thendral Nagar. Similarly, engineers and hotel landlords are more in Subash Nagar and LIC employees and doctors in Meyappan Nagar while Sakthi Nagar was mooted exclusively by PRC employees. Venkatachalapthy Nagar is more dominated by residents of Old Vilangudi, who shifted to this nagar attracted by its tranquillity.

Like any other extension area, the new Vilangudi was once a fertile land of farmers of Vilangudi. Only between 1990 and1995, these nagars developed massively as an extension of Vilangudi village.

It is interesting to note that a left turn from Dindigul road leads people both into old and new Vilangudi. In fact, the left side of the road is known as old Vilangudi while the right side is called new Vilangudi. Similarly, the area upto Vaigai riverbed is old Vilangudi and the demarcation of new Vilangudi area is upto Panchayat office.

Appearances are, however, deceptive. It is not easy for a new visitor to instantly fall in love what with a densely populated entrance. But the moment they step into Ganapathy Nagar, may things change.

The area that sprawls over 50 acres has more than 500 houses spread in the five nagars. The new Vilangudi on the main road consists of 1,000-odd houses.

Serenity, greenery, wide streets and good groundwater table makes the area more attractive, wows S. Jeyasingh, another resident.

If at all, what is missing in the new Vilangudi area are the hospitals. Except two mini clinics that work after 6 p.m., the residents toil all the way from Vilangudi to Arasaradi for any major health problem.

The resident’s welfare associations play a proactive role and look after every need and demand of a resident. However, the present concern of the area at present is the loss of Karruppiah Koil to Vaigai Channel popularly known as Torino Vaikal. The sewage water stagnates both in empty plots and backyard of houses and acts as breeding source for mosquitoes.

The Vilangudi area also reflects the real estate boom. Just three months ago one cent cost around Rs.60,000 and Rs.70,000 but now the amount has doubled especially after the construction of individual houses promoted by a local builder.

Whatever it may be, with all its shortcomings, the cool and calm environment attracts.

The New Vilangudi is a perfect home to more number of middle class people.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail